The second youngest, an icon of Portuguese and world football, left us on 5 January 2014—11 years ago now. You know who I’m writing about: the Black Panther, Eusébio da Silva Ferreira. Born in Lourenço Marques (now Maputo) on 25 January 1942, Eusébio remains a name etched in the annals of football history.
What can be said that isn’t already known? Who he was, where he was born, how he started playing, and what he achieved—all well-documented. In UEFA’s Golden Jubilee online poll, he was voted among the top 10 greatest players. He shone brightly for the national team and played a pivotal role for Benfica. With his powerful and lightning-fast right foot, he scored two crucial goals that helped Benfica secure their second consecutive European Cup in the 1961/62 season under coach Béla Guttmann. This triumph followed their first win in the previous season, 1960/61.
Eusébio was undoubtedly one of the best players in the world—there’s no question about it. Without diminishing today’s stars, who dazzle under the football spotlight and earn millions, I often wonder how they would fare in the conditions faced by past legends. Imagine modern-day prodigies subjected to the challenges faced by players like Eusébio: semi-bald pitches riddled with holes and uneven surfaces; rigid leather boots that lost their studs mid-game; and heavy leather footballs that became waterlogged in the rain, sending droplets flying with every kick.
Contrast that with today’s pristine conditions: perfectly manicured pitches tested for levelness, meticulously designed and calibrated balls, shin guards, and ultra-light, super-comfortable boots with precision-engineered studs. Everything today is super modern, super calibrated, and super convenient.
Could today’s stars shine as brightly under the conditions of the past? Would their brilliance endure, or would they be in recovery centres after 90 minutes? Back then, love for the game and loyalty to the shirt often spoke louder than anything else.
Today, football is no longer just a sport—it’s an industry.
